Wildfires, low levels on rivers as Europe feels the heat

Europe is grappling with the devastating effects of a prolonged heatwave and severe drought in 2022. Southern and eastern European nations are being hit particularly hard, with record-breaking temperatures and dangerously low water levels. Albania's emergency services are battling wildfires, while Hungary is cutting power consumption to cope with the energy crisis caused by record-low water levels in the Danube River.

Slovakia recorded its all-time high temperature of 41.4C, and Austria set another all-time high of 41.2C, both surpassing previous records. Italy has placed most of its major cities under a red heat alert, while the Vatican moved Pope Leo's weekly general audience indoors due to the extreme heat. Hungary's sole nuclear power plant is facing shutdown due to low river water levels, causing an energy crisis.

The Rhine River in Germany has hit new low levels, impacting cargo services, and wildfires are ravaging both Albania and Greece, causing evacuations and threatening wildlife. These extreme conditions are exacerbated by the impact of climate change, leading to a worrying situation for agriculture in Britain and across Europe.